Genius Warlock

Chapter 358

"According to the rules, I should be going with you. It's a pity."

The airship terminal in Landa was situated on the city's outskirts, much like the one in Saint-Torme. However, as was customary for densely populated areas in Landa, the surroundings were bustling with activity.

What stood out the most was the long line of people waiting for taxis and the queue of taxis ready to pick up passengers.

Oliver sought her understanding.

"I'm sorry. I'd like to go with you, Miss Yareli, but this is business as a solver, Dave, and not just my own personal matter."

Oliver was genuine. If it had solely concerned him, he would have considered bringing Yareli along, if only for Merlin and the other colleagues who had supported him at the Magic Tower.

However, he was leaving now because of Forrest's summons. Unilaterally bringing Yareli along wouldn't be respectful to Forrest.

‘Especially since I'm known as a Magic Tower staff... But how did they find out?' Oliver wondered. Although he had a rough idea of where the information had come from, the details and means remained a mystery.

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‘Well, I'll find out when I get there...'

"I'll report everything we've discussed there to Magic Tower. Could you please understand my situation just this once? I'd appreciate it, Miss Yareli." Oliver earnestly requested.

Yareli let out a soft sigh and sought confirmation. "Everything?"

"...Most of it. I can't guarantee all since there might be conversations that are difficult to discuss with Magic Tower."

Yareli looked at him with disdain over her thick glasses.

Just like during the dinner at the orphanage, he asked her why she acted that way, but Yareli did not answer.

‘What was the reason...'

"Ah..." Yareli audibly sighed, displaying unusual signs of exhaustion. "Fine... I'll go to Magic Tower first and explain."

"Thank you. Then, about calling a taxi-"

"-I'll call the taxi myself."

"Are you sure? The people from Angels House said-"

"-Don't worry about it."

Yareli was sincere. She appeared to have much on her mind but chose to keep it to herself.

He wanted to ask her, but Oliver decided against it. Immediate concerns took precedence.

Having made the decision, Oliver retrieved the shrunken car from his pocket, placed it on the roadside, and released the spell.

The car, originally small enough to fit in his inner pocket, returned to its full size. Passersby couldn't help but turn their attention to them, murmuring in surprise.

It was a natural reaction. While Landa had its share of wizards, they were not a common sight for ordinary people.

Yareli felt those scrutinizing eyes and fixed her gaze firmly on Oliver. He was an enigmatic individual, seemingly ordinary yet prone to unexpected actions.

"Then, I'll go first. Thank you again for accommodating my request."

"Remember, you need to come to Magic Tower right after your errands."

"Yes, I understand. I'll go right away... Oh, and."

"...?"

"I don't know if my guess is right, but when I said your eyes are beautiful, I meant it. They really are."

"..."

"Was it not appropriate?"

"Just go."

"Yes."

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Oliver started the car and drove away.

He thought he had improved at reading the atmosphere, but it appeared he still needed more practice.

"It's still difficult."

***

Ding.

As he pushed open the restaurant door, a bell chimed.

Years had passed, yet the sound remained unchanged. But consistency wasn't limited to the bell.

"Have you arrived? Mr. Dave. Thank you for visiting."

As soon as the restaurant's door swung open, Al, a member of the staff, appeared and greeted him, just as he always did.

If there was a difference, it was that Al now bowed with even more respect than before, as if he were treating a distinguished guest.

Oliver instinctively deduced that the reason Forrest had summoned him was related to Al's attitude.

"Yes, it's been a while, Mr. Al. How have you been?"

"I'm always doing well, thanks to the boss taking care of me."

"It seemed like Mr.vForrest was having some trouble because of me?"

Seemingly understanding the implication, Al reacted.

"But I'm just a personal staff member of a professor?"

"That's not what's important. People tend to focus more on eye-catching labels than detailed and complex information. The word ‘Magic Tower' is going to attract more attention than ‘professor's personal staff'... Especially if you're Dave, who has boosted the stock price as a solver."

With Forrest's concise and lucid explanation, Oliver nodded in understanding.

"I understand what you mean... But aren't you going to ask?"

"Ask what?"

"How I got into Magic Tower. Of course, it's not my place to say."

Forrest didn't respond immediately; instead, he gazed intently at Oliver.

There was no anger or a sense of betrayal stemming from Oliver withholding information.

"Honestly, I am curious. If I wasn't, I'd be insane, wouldn't I?"

"Ah, about that..."

"-Ah, no, you don't need to say it."

Forrest raised his hand to halt Oliver from continuing. It wasn't a feigned gesture; it was genuinely meant to stop him.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. How many people in this field have a normal background? Trust is important, but that's about trust in work. Anything beyond that is trivial. If we start to consider those things, this market can't function."

While it was certainly not inconsequential that Dave, known as a warlock, had an affiliation with the Magic Tower, Forrest framed it that way.

It was also a point of consideration for Oliver, albeit primarily for business reasons.

"Everyone has their own stories they want to keep to themselves, don't they? ... Of course, you've told me to tell you everything."

"Ah... I apologize."

"It's a joke. Anyway, the point is, you don't need to go out of your way to explain to me unless it interferes with the work."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"Can you answer just one thing? It's embarrassing to ask right after bragging, but I'm curious."

"Sure, what are you curious about?"

"Are you fully affiliated with Magic Tower? To the extent that Magic Tower would protect you?"

Oliver quickly grasped the reason behind Forrest's question.

In the past, Forrest had inquired whether Oliver was contemplating joining any organization. He had suggested that with Oliver's elevated status, he could become either a valuable asset or a target, not just for small-time players but also for the big players in the city.

‘And he said the best thing to do is to join an organization,' Oliver recalled that conversation and replied.

"That's not the case. I'm more like an accessory to a formal member of Magic Tower."

"An accessory?"

"Yes, a professor's personal employee is like an accessory. I'm not even counted as a person."

"What a horrible thing to say so nonchalantly."

"Ah, please don't misunderstand. I personally like my position."

"Really?"

"Yes. The working hours are short, the intensity of the work is not high, the pay is good for the work I do, and there are also good bonuses."

"That sounds enviable."

"Also, when I have time, I can audit classes, and I have free access to the library."

Forrest displayed genuine interest in that.

"Ho... the Magic Tower library?"

"Yes."

"What books have you read?"

"General Elemental Magic, Pure Mana Magic, Training and Unit Management for War Wizards, Tactical Manuals, World Tree related texts, Herbalism theories, etc. I'm reading a variety of things... but these days I'm mainly focusing on the field of Golems and Golem Ethics."

Forrest was quietly impressed. Everything Oliver mentioned represented advanced scholarship typically accessible only within the Magic Tower.

It was knowledge reserved for the chosen few.

Forrest almost inquired whether Oliver comprehended it all but restrained himself. He seemed to already know the answer.

Oliver picked up on Forrest's sentiments and inquired, "Do you have something you'd like to say?"

"Yes, I have something to tell you... but how should I start? Um... first, take this."

Forrest retrieved a large brown paper bag from the cabinet and handed it to Oliver.

"What is this?"

"It's not that important, but take it out and read it."

Following Forrest's instructions, Oliver opened the bag and retrieved a pristine white document that appeared quite high-quality.

"This is... a contract."

"It's more like a scouting proposal."